Ship your Halloween sweets to troops overseas

A Columbia dentist is encouraging children to bring in their Halloween candy in exchange for a toy.

The candy will then be sent in care packages to U.S. troops serving abroad to give them a sweet reminder of home.

Kool Smiles at 5422 Forest Drive is accepting candy as part of Operation Troop Treats.

Since 2012, Kool Smiles’ 25 locations have collected more than five tons of donated candy and sent 800 care packages to troops through the nationwide program in partnership with Operation Gratitude.

“Operation Troop Treats is our way of encouraging kids and their parents to maintain good dental health this Halloween while providing an opportunity to give back to our brave U.S. soldiers serving overseas,” managing dental director Dr. Ray Gifford said in a news release.

“Sending some of these sweets to our troops abroad – along with dental kits to encourage good oral hygiene for them, too – is a win-win for everyone. We don’t want to take the fun out of trick or treating – just the cavities!”

The candy exchange will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday.

For more information call (803) 753-1160 or visit mykoolsmiles.com/trooptreats.

This story was originally published November 3, 2015 at 9:55 AM with the headline "Ship your Halloween sweets to troops overseas."